Air conditioner including a plurality of evaporative cooling units

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning system includes evaporative cooling units, each evaporative cooling unit including a first V-shaped portion of a winding of microporous hollow fibers that are configured to receive a liquid, and a second V-shaped portion of the winding of microporous hollow fibers that are configured to receive the liquid, where the second V-shaped portion is coupled to the first V-shaped portion, and an internal cavity is disposed between the first V-shaped portion and the second V-shaped portion. The air conditioning system also includes a plumbing assembly configured to supply the liquid to the plurality of evaporative cooling units. The air conditioning system also includes a controller configured to control the plumbing assembly to change a flow rate of the liquid, or to block the liquid from at least one evaporative cooling unit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/284,456, entitled “AIR CONDITIONERINCLUDING A PLURALITY OF EVAPORATIVE COOLING UNITS,” filed Nov. 30,2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful inproviding the reader with background information to facilitate a betterunderstanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure.Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to beread in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

HVAC equipment and independent cooling devices, such as air handlingunits, localized air coolers, fan walls, and building systems, face manydesign constraints during their development. The air supplied throughsuch equipment needs to match stringent design specifications, thefootprint must be minimized to save space on-site, and the overallenergy consumption should be optimized. As a result, designers mustcarefully select any components internal to the equipment so as to meetthese and other constraints.

Accordingly, there has been an increased utilization of evaporativecooling technology in recent years due to its lower energy consumptioncompared to other cooling methods. Evaporative coolers lower thetemperature of an airstream through the introduction and subsequentevaporation of water particles. These components prove especially usefulwhen the inlet air conditions are dry and warm. Traditional evaporativecoolers generally consist of evaporative media, an assembly to hold themedia in place, a supply water reservoir, and a water distributionsystem. Water is piped from the reservoir to the top of the evaporativemedia; as water gravity drains downward, some water is absorbed into theevaporative media, and the rest falls back into the supply waterreservoir. When air passes through this wetted media, water evaporatesinto the airstream, and it is this process which adiabatically cools theair.

Traditional evaporative coolers have several drawbacks. For example,traditional evaporative coolers are susceptible to water carryover.Water carryover is a process in which air passing through theevaporative media pulls excess water droplets out into the air,resulting in the unintentional accumulation of water in the downstreamarea. At high air velocities, this process becomes more pronounced.Further, the evaporative media of traditional evaporative coolers may beoriented generally perpendicular to an air flow passing over theevaporative media, such that pressure and velocity profiles across themedia are substantially uniform. While this orientation may reduce watercarryover, it increases a size of the traditional evaporative cooler.The relatively large size of traditional evaporative coolers may becompounded by the inclusion of a containment device below theevaporative media that collects water as it is gravity-fed downwardly,and by the use of a mist eliminator downstream of the evaporative mediaand configured to absorb water carried through the air. The misteliminator also generates a pressure drop that causes an increase inpower requirements and corresponding decrease in overall efficiency ofthe traditional evaporative cooler.

Further, traditional evaporative coolers may require the use ofrelatively clean water to reduce mineral deposits, commonly known as“scale” build-up. The susceptibility of traditional evaporative coolersto mineral deposits may require time consuming maintenance techniquesand/or excessive water replacement. Further, traditional evaporativecoolers are limited in their ability to precisely control the supply airtemperature and humidity. In general, the exiting air can be controlledby turning the traditional evaporative cooler ON or OFF depending on thetemperature or humidity requirements. That is, delivery of water to theevaporative media may be enabled when the traditional evaporative cooleris ON and disabled when the evaporative cooler is OFF. However, theevaporative media may remain wet for a time period after the traditionalevaporative cooler is switched to OFF, causing additional cooling andhumidification to occur, which contributes to control latency of thetraditional evaporative cooler. Once the media is wet, the amount ofwater that evaporates into the airstream is completely dependent on theincoming air conditions.

Further still to the points above, a shape of traditional evaporativecooling units, which may be constrained based on the above-describedlimitations (e.g., water carryover, cooler unit orientation, scalebuild-up, etc.), may increase a footprint and reduce an efficiency ofthe corresponding system. For the foregoing reasons, among others, it isnow recognized that improved evaporative cooling systems and methods aredesired.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and thatthese aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may notbe set forth below.

In an embodiment, an air conditioning system includes evaporativecooling units, wherein each evaporative cooling unit includes a firstV-shaped portion of a winding of microporous hollow fibers configured toreceive a liquid, a second V-shaped portion of the winding ofmicroporous hollow fibers configured to receive the liquid, and aninternal cavity disposed between the first V-shaped portion and thesecond V-shaped portion. The first V-shaped portion and the secondV-shaped portion are coupled together. The air conditioning system alsoincludes a plumbing assembly configured to supply the liquid to theevaporative cooling units. The air conditioning system also includes acontroller configured to control the plumbing assembly to change a flowrate of the liquid, or to block the liquid from at least one evaporativecooling unit of the evaporative cooling units.

In another embodiment, an air conditioning system includes evaporativecooling units, a plumbing assembly, and a controller. Each evaporativecooling unit includes a sheet forming a closed-loop shape comprising arhombus or rhomboid. The sheet includes microporous hollow fiberscontained therein, where each microporous fiber includes one or morewalls, a liquid flow path defined by the one or more walls andconfigured to receive a liquid, and pores extending through the one ormore walls. The pores are configured to block passage of the liquidtherethrough and enable passage of a vapor formed from the liquidtherethrough. Further, the plumbing assembly is configured to supply theliquid to the evaporative cooling units. Further still, the controlleris configured to control the plumbing assembly to change a flow rate ofthe liquid, or block the liquid from at least one evaporative coolingunit of the evaporative cooling units.

In another embodiment, an air conditioning system includes evaporativecooling units, each evaporative cooling unit including a winding ofmicroporous hollow fibers forming a closed-loop shape having a leadingedge, a trailing edge configured to be disposed downstream of theleading edge relative to an air flow, and an internal cavity disposedbetween the leading edge and the trailing edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon readingthe following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an evaporative cooling unitincluding microporous hollow fibers wound in a generally closed-loopshape (e.g., a rhombus), in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another evaporative coolingunit including microporous hollow fibers wound in a generallyclosed-loop shape (e.g., a rhombus), in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a partially unassembledevaporative cooling unit, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an evaporative coolingunit including microporous hollow fibers wound in a generallyclosed-loop shape (e.g., a rhombus), in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a magnified view that depicts the water and air membraneinterface of a microporous hollow fiber that resides within anevaporative cooling unit, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an evaporative cooling unit, whichincludes a frame, a water inlet port, and a water outlet port, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing a matrix ofevaporative cooling units, a housing to frame and support theevaporative cooling units, and one possible configuration for waterdistribution plumbing connected to and from each evaporative coolingunit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing a matrix ofevaporative cooling units, which has an optional water storage tankattached to the bottom of the air conditioner to provide a means ofrecirculating water to the evaporative cooling units for the purpose ofdecreasing the overall usage of water, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing a matrix ofevaporative cooling units, which has an optional water storage tank thatis positioned in a remote location for the dual purposes ofrecirculating water to the evaporative cooling units so as to decreasewater usage and minimizing the overall size of the air conditioner, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing a matrix ofevaporative cooling units, and which incorporates the use of horizontalbypass dampers to provide increased control of the air stream passingthrough the air conditioner, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing a matrix ofevaporative cooling units, and which incorporates the use of verticalbypass dampers to provide increased control of the air stream passingthrough the air conditioner, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an air conditioner employing one or moreevaporative cooling units and incorporated in a ducting system, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an air conditioner employing one or moreevaporative cooling units and incorporated within an air handling unit(AHU), in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of an air conditioner employing one or moreevaporative cooling units and incorporated into an air handling unit(AHU) in a way such that the air flow direction through the one or moreevaporative cooling units is parallel to the direction of gravity,highlighting an ability of the evaporative cooling unit(s) to beoriented in any direction, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a possible plumbing scheme of an individualevaporative cooling unit, wherein a single supply water line and asingle return water line is routed to and from the evaporative coolingunit, respectively, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a possible plumbing scheme of a plurality ofevaporative cooling units routed in series, where a single supply waterline and a single return water line is routed to and from the pluralityof evaporative cooling units, respectively, in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a possible plumbing scheme of a plurality ofevaporative cooling units routed both in series and in parallel, where asupply distribution manifold delivers water to the plurality ofevaporative cooling units, and a return water manifold discharges waterfrom the plurality of evaporative cooling units for recirculation and/ordrainage, the possible plumbing scheme allowing for each individualgroup of evaporative cooling units to be selectively activated anddeactivated, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a possible plumbing scheme of a plurality ofevaporative cooling units routed in parallel, where a common supplydistribution manifold delivers water to a plurality of supply waterbranch piping which in turn delivers water to the plurality ofevaporative cooling units, and wherein a plurality of return waterbranch piping receives return water from the plurality of evaporativecooling units and discharges it to a common return water manifold foreventual recirculation and/or drainage, the possible plumbing schemeallowing for each individual group of evaporative cooling units to beselectively activated and deactivated, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a possible plumbing scheme of a plurality ofevaporative cooling units that are individually routed to independentwater supply sources and possible independent drainage sources, thepossible plumbing scheme allowing for each individual evaporativecooling unit to be selectively activated and deactivated, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a plumbing scheme of an optional water storage tank, whereina make-up water line connects a water supply to the storage tank, asupply line distributes water from the tank to the evaporative coolingunits, a return line directs water from said evaporative cooling unitsback to the storage tank, and a drain line that allows for drainage ofthe storage tank, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a schematic that illustrates a matrix of evaporative coolingunits, wherein certain evaporative cooling units are selectivelyactivated to condition air, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a possible feature of an air conditioneremploying a plurality of evaporative cooling units, wherein twophysically distinct matrices of evaporative cooling units meet at acommon interface and each of which is hinged to an axis permittingrotation about said axis through the use of an actuating device, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of a possible feature of an air conditioneremploying a plurality of evaporative cooling units, wherein two or morephysically distinct matrices of evaporative cooling units meet at acommon interface and each of which is connected to an axis permittingtranslation along said axis through the use of an actuating device, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 24 is an illustration of an air conditioner employing a pluralityof evaporative cooling units and bypass features disposed within eachevaporative cooling unit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units,in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only examples of thepresently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide aconcise description of these embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

The present disclosure relates to evaporative cooling units for use inHVAC equipment or as an independent cooling and/or humidifyingapparatus. In particular, this disclosure relates to an air conditionerhaving a plurality of evaporative cooling units, each evaporativecooling unit including microporous hollow fibers wound in a generallyclosed-loop shape (e.g., a rhombus shape) having a leading edge, atrailing edge, and an internal cavity between the leading edge and thetrailing edge.

The utilization of evaporative cooling technology has increased inrecent years due to its lower energy consumption compared to othercooling methods. Evaporative coolers lower the temperature of anairstream through the introduction and subsequent evaporation of waterparticles. These components prove especially useful when the inlet airconditions are dry and warm.

Membrane-contactor panels composed of a plurality of microporous hollowfibers are known in the art (for example, 3M® media utilizing CELGARD®microporous hollow fibers). Water or some other liquid is guided throughthe plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and an ambient gas stream(e.g., air) is passed over the plurality of microporous hollow fibers.Walls of the microporous hollow fibers are permeable only to water inthe vapor form; liquid water cannot exit the walls of the microporoushollow fibers to directly mix with the ambient gas stream. As watervapor exits the walls of the microporous hollow fibers via pores in thewalls, it comes into direct contact with the ambient gas streamresulting in a transfer of mass and energy. This contrasts withtraditional evaporative media whereby the liquid water wetting themedia's surface evaporates directly into the ambient gas stream.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes aplurality of evaporative cooling units, where each evaporative coolingunit includes microporous hollow fibers wound in a closed-loop shapehaving a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an internal cavity betweenthe leading edge and the trailing edge. For example, the microporoushollow fibers may be embedded or otherwise contained in a sheet (e.g., aflexible sheet, such as a woven fabric sheet) that is wound aboutvarious anchors (e.g., rods, frame members, poles) of the evaporativecooling unit to form the closed-loop shape. In some embodiments, thesheet having the microporous hollow fibers is wound about the variousanchors several times, such that the closed-loop shape includes multiplelayers of the microporous hollow fiber. In accordance with the presentdisclosure, the closed-loop shape may be a rhombus or a rhomboid. Arhombus is a quadrilateral whose four sides have equal lengths. Arhomboid is a parallelogram having adjacent sides of dissimilar lengthsand non-right angles between adjacent sides. However, it should beunderstood that the closed-loop shape may not form a perfect geometricrhombus or rhomboid. Indeed, one of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize that the closed-loop shape may deviate from a perfectgeometric rhombus or rhomboid (e.g., due to engineering tolerances), butthat the closed-loop shape would still be considered a rhombus orrhomboid by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Further, it should be understood that “the closed-loop shape,” inaccordance with the present disclosure, may be partially completed by acomponent of the evaporative cooling unit other than the sheet ofmicroporous hollow fibers. For example, the sheet of microporous hollowfibers may be attached to a first anchor of the above-described anchorsof the evaporative cooling unit, and wound about additional anchors(e.g., second, third, and fourth anchors) of the evaporative cooling andback to the first anchor. The first anchor may form a portion of theclosed-loop shape. Stated differently, the anchors of the evaporativecooling unit may define the closed-loop shape about which the sheet ofmicroporous hollow fibers is wound, such that the sheet of microporoushollow fibers forms the closed-loop shape after being wound about theanchors. As previously described, in some embodiments, the sheet ofmicroporous hollow fibers may be wound about the anchors of theevaporative cooling unit multiple times, creating layers of themicroporous hollow fibers about the closed-loop shape. These and otherfeatures will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In operation of the evaporative cooling unit, a liquid (e.g., liquidwater) is routed through the above-described microporous hollow fibers.An air flow is directed from an upstream area external to theclosed-loop shape, through the leading edge defined by the closed-loopshape, into the internal cavity between the leading edge and thetrailing edge of the closed-loop shape, through the trailing edgedefined by the closed-loop shape, and into a downstream area external tothe closed-loop shape. As the air flow passes through the leading edgeand the trailing edge, the air flow may pass between various adjacentmicroporous hollow fibers. Further, as the air flow passes through theleading edge, into the internal cavity, and through the trailing edge,water vapor may exit pores in the walls of the microporous hollow fibersand into the air flow, resulting in a transfer of mass and energy. Thus,the air flow is cooled and humidified by the evaporative cooling unitfor delivery to a conditioned space.

An air conditioner in accordance with the present disclosure includes aplurality of the above-described evaporative cooling units. Variousarrangements of the plurality of evaporative cooling units are describedin detail below, including an alignment of the plurality of evaporativecooling units in a X-direction, Y-direction, and/or Z-direction, andincluding an orientation of the plurality of evaporative cooling unitsrelative to an airflow. Additionally or alternatively, the airconditioner may include various system-level features that integrate theplurality of evaporative cooling units in the air conditioner. Forexample, various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosuremay include the plurality of evaporative cooling units fluidly coupled(e.g., with respect to a flow of liquid therethrough) in parallel, inseries, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the airconditioner may include various features and controls that enable an airflow bypass of one or more of the evaporative cooling units, that enableselective operation of certain of the evaporative cooling units (e.g.,by enabling or blocking the flow of liquid therethrough), or acombination thereof. These and other features relating to an integrationof a plurality of evaporative cooling units in an air conditioner systemare described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The above-described configuration of the air conditioner employing aplurality of evaporative cooling units may provide several technicalbenefits over traditional embodiments. For example, the closed-loop(e.g., rhombus) shape formed by the winding of microporous hollow fibersin each evaporative cooling unit may provide a higher density ofevaporative cooling media than traditional embodiments. Indeed, incertain traditional embodiments, evaporative cooling media may beoriented such that a face of the evaporative cooling media is orientedperpendicular to the direction of air flow thereover, as orienting thetraditional evaporative cooling media at an oblique angle relative tothe direction of air flow may cause undesirable water carryover into theair flow. The microporous hollow fibers of the disclosed evaporativecooling units are not susceptible to water carryover and, thus, can beoriented at oblique angles relative to the direction of air flow withoutwater carryover. The presently disclosed closed-loop (e.g., rhombus)shape of the winding of microporous hollow fibers of each evaporativecooling unit may generally leverage the above-described technicaleffects to increase a density of evaporative cooling media and increasean amount of cooling, increase an efficiency of the system, and reduce afootprint of the system. Further, at least in part due to theabove-described advantages, an air conditioner employing multiple onesof the evaporative cooling units may be more versatile, modifiable,and/or customizable in meeting design constraints (e.g., footprintconstraints, a need for air flow bypass features, etc.) associated withparticular environments or settings of the air conditioner. These andother features are outlined in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of anevaporative cooling unit 10 including a winding 11 (or sheet) ofmicroporous hollow fibers 12 forming a closed-loop shape, such as arhombus. The winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12 may include aflexible sheet of microporous hollow fibers 12 that is wound aboutvarious anchors 30 (e.g., rods, frame members, poles) of the evaporativecooling unit 10 to form the closed-loop shape. A frame (not shown) mayconnect the anchors 30 such that the anchors 30 are held in place.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closed-loop shape includes a firstside 14 of the winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12 (e.g., havinga first length 16), a second side 18 of the winding 11 of microporoushollow fibers 12 (e.g., having a second length 20), a third side 22 ofthe winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12 (e.g., having a thirdlength 24), and a fourth side 26 of the winding 11 of microporous hollowfibers 12 (e.g., having a fourth length 28). The first length 16, thesecond length 20, the third length 24, and the fourth length 28 aresubstantially equal (e.g., within engineering tolerances). Accordingly,the closed-loop shape formed by the winding 11 of microporous hollowfibers 12 in FIG. 1 is a rhombus. However, another embodiment of theevaporative cooling unit 10 may include the winding 11 of microporoushollow fibers 12 forming a different closed-loop shape, such as arhomboid. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the first side 14 andthe second side 18 may form a first V-shaped portion of the winding 11,the third side 22 and the fourth side 26 may form a second V-shapedportion of the winding 11, and the first V-shaped portion may be coupledto the second V-shaped portion to form the closed-loop shape (e.g.,rhombus, rhomboid). Each microporous hollow fiber 12 in the illustratedembodiment includes a fluid flow path that extends across the first side14, the second side 18, the third side 22, and the fourth side 26 of theclosed-loop shape. Further, the winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers12 may be wound about the anchors 30 multiple times such that multiplelayers of the microporous hollow fibers 12 exist on each side 14, 18,22, 26 of the closed-loop shape.

In FIG. 1 , a leading edge 31 of the evaporative cooling unit 10 isdefined by the first side 14 and the second side 18 of the closed-loopshape. The leading edge 31 includes a width 32 extending perpendicularto the first length 16 of the first side 14 and the second length 20 ofthe second side 18. The width 32 of the leading edge 31 is definedbetween an end juncture 34 of the first side 14 and the second side 18and an additional end juncture 36 of the first side 14 and the secondside 18. Further, a trailing edge 38 of the evaporative cooling unit 10is defined by the third side 22 and the fourth side 26 of theclosed-loop shape. The trailing edge 38 includes a width 40 extendingperpendicular to the third length 24 of the third side 22 and the fourthlength 28 of the fourth side 26. The width 40 of the trailing edge 38 isdefined by an end juncture 42 of the third side 22 and the fourth side26 and an additional end juncture 44 of the third side 22 and the fourthside 26. The width 40 of the trailing edge 38 and the width 32 of theleading edge 31 may be substantially equal (e.g., within engineeringtolerances).

It should be noted that the leading edge 31 may include an entirety ofthe first side 14 and the second side 18 of the closed-loop shape, andthat the trailing edge 38 may include an entirety of the third side 22and the fourth side 26 of the closed-loop shape. In the illustratedembodiment, the leading edge 31 forms a first arrow shape (or V-shape),the trailing edge 38 forms a second arrow shape, (or V-shape) and thefirst arrow shape and the second arrow shape may together form theclosed-loop shape. The first arrow shape of the leading edge 31 and thesecond arrow shape of the trailing edge 38 may be symmetrical across anaxis 33 therebetween.

The leading edge 31 is referred to as “leading” and the trailing edge 38is referred to as “trailing” with respect to an air flow 45 directedtoward and through the evaporative cooling unit 10. For example, theevaporative cooling unit 10 includes an internal cavity 46 bound by theclosed-loop shape of the winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12.That is, the internal cavity 46 is defined by the first side 14, thesecond side 18, the third side 22, and the fourth side 26 of theclosed-loop shape. In other words, the internal cavity 46 is disposedbetween the leading edge 31 and the trailing edge 38. In general, theinternal cavity 46 is devoid of the microporous hollow fibers 12. Theair flow 45 is directed from an upstream space 48, toward the leadingedge 31, through the leading edge 31 (e.g., through the first side 14and the second side 18 of the closed-loop shape), into the internalcavity 46, through the trailing edge 38 (e.g., through the third side 22and the fourth side 26 of the closed-loop shape), into a downstreamspace 50, and away from the trailing edge 38. The air flow 45 isgenerally passed over the microporous hollow fibers 12, such as throughspaces between the microporous hollow fibers 12. In some embodiments,the winding 11 of the microporous hollow fibers 12 includes a sheet(e.g., a flexible sheet, such as one formed by a woven fabric material)that permits the air flow 45 to pass through the winding 11 (e.g.,through spaces between the microporous hollow fibers 12).

A liquid 52 (e.g., liquid water) is passed through the microporoushollow fibers 12. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, themicroporous hollow fibers 12 are oriented such that the liquid 52 ispassed through the microporous hollow fibers 12 along the first length16 of the first side 14, the second length 20 of the second side 18, thethird length 24 of the third side 22, and the fourth length 28 of thefourth side 26. However, in another embodiment of the evaporativecooling unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 , the microporous hollow fibers 12are oriented such that the liquid 52 is passed through the microporoushollow fibers 12 in a direction 54 perpendicular to the first length 16of the first side 14, the second length 20 of the second side 18, thethird length 24 of the third side 22, and the fourth length 28 of thefourth side 26. That is, the direction 54 in which the liquid 52 isrouted through the microporous hollow fibers 12 in FIG. 2 issubstantially parallel with the width 32 of the leading edge 31 of theevaporative cooling unit 10 and the width 40 of the trailing edge 38 ofthe evaporative cooling unit 10. In both of FIGS. 1 and 2 , one of theanchors 30 (e.g., rods, frame members, poles) of the evaporative coolingunit 10 may act as an inlet to the microporous hollow fibers 12, and oneof the anchors 30 (e.g., rods, frame members, poles) of the evaporativecooling unit 10 may act as an outlet of the microporous hollow fibers12. In another embodiment, the evaporative cooling unit 10 may includean inlet and an outlet separate from the anchors 30.

As the liquid 52 is routed through the microporous hollow fibers 12 andthe air flow 45 is passed through the evaporative cooling unit 10 (e.g.,from the upstream space 48, through the first side 14 and the secondside 18, into the internal cavity 46, through the third side 22 and thefourth side 26, and to the downstream space 50), the liquid 52 may beheated (or a portion thereof otherwise vaporized) and the air flow 45may be cooled. Further, as previously described, the microporous hollowfibers 12 are configured to enable vapor formed from the liquid 52 topass through pores in the walls of the microporous hollow fibers 12,such that the vapor comes into direct contact with the air flow 45,resulting in humidification of the air flow 45 and a transfer of massand energy.

The above-described configurations of the evaporative cooling unit 10 inFIGS. 1 and 2 enable the air flow 45 to pass over the microporous hollowfibers 12 multiple times. For example, the closed-loop shape (e.g.,rhombus shape) is configured to enable the air flow 45 to pass overmultiple layers of the microporous hollow fibers 12 (e.g., at each side14, 18, 22, 26 of the closed-loop shape), and through both the leadingedge 31 and the trailing edge 38, thereby improving conditioning (e.g.,cooling, humidifying) of the air flow 45 relative to traditionalconfigurations. Further, the closed-loop shape (e.g., rhombus shape) mayreduce a footprint or size of the evaporative cooling unit 10 relativeto traditional configurations.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a partiallyunassembled evaporative cooling unit 10. In the illustrated embodiment,the evaporative cooling unit includes a sheet 70 of the microporoushollow fibers 12. For example, as previously described, the sheet 70 mayinclude a flexible material (e.g., a woven fabric) in which themicroporous hollow fibers 12 are embedded, woven, or otherwisecontained. The evaporative cooling unit 10 also includes four anchors 30about which the sheet 70, when fully assembled, is wound (e.g., to formthe winding 11 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ).

As shown, the sheet 70 may be attached a first anchor 30 a. The sheet 70may then be wound about the three other anchors 30 b, 30 c, 30 d. In theillustrated embodiment, the anchors 30 are held in place by a firstframe member 72 and a second frame member 74. However, the anchors 30may be held in place relative to one another via different types offrames, frames located at different positions than the first framemember 72 and the second frame member 74 illustrated in FIG. 3 , orboth. As previously described, in some embodiments, the sheet 70 havingthe microporous hollow fibers 12 may be wound about the anchors 30multiple times. For example, the sheet 70 may be attached to the firstanchor 30 a, wound about the second anchor 30 b, the third anchor 30 c,and the fourth anchor 30 d, and then wound about the first anchor 30 a,the second anchor, the third anchor 30 c, and the fourth anchor 30 dagain. In some embodiments, the sheet 70 may be wound about the anchors30 five times, ten times, fifteen times, or twenty or more times,depending on the preferred footprint and cooling capacity of theevaporative cooling unit 10. After the sheet 70 having the microporoushollow fibers 12 is wound about the anchors 30 (e.g., one or moretimes), the internal cavity 46 of the evaporative cooling unit 10 isformed inwards from the sheet 70.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of anevaporative cooling unit 10 including the winding 11 of microporoushollow fibers 12 forming a closed-loop shape (e.g., a rhombus). In FIG.4 , the evaporative cooling unit 10 is illustrated in operation. Forexample, the airflow 45 is directed from the upstream space 48, throughthe leading edge 31, into the internal cavity 46, through the trailingedge 38, and into the downstream space 50. The upstream space 48, theclosed-loop shape (e.g., having the leading edge 31 and the trailingedge 38), and the downstream space 50 is contained within a flow channel76 (e.g., a box, a conduit, etc.) of the evaporative cooling unit 10,where the flow channel 76 is configured to guide the air flow 45 fromthe downstream space 48, through the leading edge 31, into the internalcavity 46, though the trailing edge 38, and into the downstream space50. The air flow 45 may be generated via a fan 78 (e.g., upstream of theflow channel 76 or within the flow channel 76). The flow channel 76 mayinclude a first wall 77 facing the upstream space 48 and a second wall79 facing the downstream space 50, where the first wall 77 and thesecond wall 79 operate to block the air flow 45 from bypassing theclosed-loop space formed by the microporous hollow fibers 12. That is,the first wall 77 and the second wall 79 may extend to a juncturebetween the leading edge 31 and the trailing edge 38 of the closed-loopshape. A gap 81 outside of the flow channel 76 may extend between thefirst wall 77 and the second wall 79, where the gap 81 is fluidlyisolated from the air flow 45.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the air flow 45 may be substantially perpendicularto the first side 14 of the closed-loop shape as the air flow 45traverses the first side 14. Likewise, the air flow 45 may besubstantially perpendicular to the second side 18 of the closed-loopshape as the air flow 45 traverses the second side 18, substantiallyperpendicular to the third side 22 of the closed-loop shape as the airflow 45 traverses the third side 22, and substantially perpendicular tothe fourth side 26 of the closed-loop shape as the air flow 45 traversesthe fourth side 26. Liquid (not shown), such as liquid water, is routedthrough the microporous hollow fibers 12 such that, for example, a heatexchange relationship is generated between the liquid (not shown) andthe air flow 45, as previously described. Accordingly, the flow of theliquid through the microporous hollow fibers 12 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the flow of the air flow 45 over the microporous hollowfibers 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first side 14 and the second side 18of the closed-loop shape form a first angle 80, the second side 18 andthe third side 22 of the closed-loop shape form a second angle 82, thethird side 22 and the fourth side 26 of the closed-loop shape form athird angle 84, and the fourth side 26 and the first side 14 of theclosed-loop shape form a fourth angle 86. The first angle 80 and thethird angle 84 are acute, while the second angle 82 and the fourth angle86 are obtuse. However, in another embodiment, the first angle 80 andthe third angle 84 may be obtuse, while the second angle 82 and thefourth angle 86 may be acute. Further, in certain embodiments, the firstangle 80, the second angle 82, the third angle 84, and the fourth angle86 may be right angles. Further still, while the illustrated embodimentincludes a rhombus shape, another embodiment may include a rhomboidshape.

A magnified cross-section of a single microporous hollow fiber 12 isshown in FIG. 5 . A flow of water 52 (in the liquid phase) moves througha microporous hollow fiber cavity 112 (or liquid flow path) and iscontained within the volume enclosed by one or more walls 110 of themicroporous hollow fiber 12. An unconditioned (or intake) air flow 45 ais directed toward the microporous hollow fiber 12. When ambientconditions permit, liquid water vaporizes into the airstream (exteriorto the microporous hollow fiber walls 110) by undergoing a phase change.Water vapor 114 exits the microporous hollow fiber cavity 112 (or liquidflow path) through a plurality of pores 111 and comes into directcontact with the ambient air. Water vapor mixes with the ambient air andadiabatically cools and/or humidifies the air stream. This results in aconditioned discharge airflow 45 b.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an evaporative cooling unit 10, whichincludes a frame 76 (referred to in certain instances of the presentdisclosure as an air flow channel, a box, or a conduit) having a length87, a width 88, and a height 89. In the illustrated embodiment, thewidth 88 is less than the length 87 and the height 89. Further, thelength 87 and the height 89 are similarly sized (e.g., the height 89 isbetween 80% and 120% of the length 87). However, sizing of the frame 76may vary depending on the embodiment. Further, it should be understoodthat “width,” “length,” and “height” do not necessarily denote anorientation of the evaporative cooling unit 10 (e.g., relative to agravity vector 90). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, theheight 89 runs parallel to the gravity vector 90. However, in anotherembodiment, the width 88 may run parallel to the gravity vector.

The evaporative cooling unit 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes awater outlet port 102, a water inlet port 103, and a plurality ofmicroporous hollow fibers 12 that are supported by fabric weaves orother means. Air flow 45 a depicts the unconditioned input air thatenters the evaporative cooling unit 10, and air flow 45 b depicts theconditioned discharge air that exits the evaporative cooling unit 10.Input or inlet water 106 enters the evaporative cooling unit 10 throughthe water inlet port 103, is distributed into the cavity of eachindividual microporous hollow fiber 12 (e.g., denoted by flow of water52), and collectively discharges through the water outlet port 102.Outlet or output water 108 exits the water outlet port 102. That is, 106depicts the water flow as it enters the water inlet port 103, 52 depictsthe water flow as it travels through the plurality of microporous hollowfibers 12, and 108 depicts the water flow as it exits the water outletport 102. Although FIG. 1 depicts one possible configuration where thewater inlet port 103 and the water outlet port 102 are disposed on acommon side of the evaporative cooling unit 10, the water inlet port 103and water outlet port 102 may be disposed on different sides of theevaporative cooling unit 10 in another embodiment. Further, in certainembodiments, multiple instances of the water inlet port 103 may beincluded, and/or multiple instances of the water outlet port 102 may beincluded.

In the illustrated embodiment, the evaporative cooling unit 10 includesthe trailing edge 38 through which the discharge (or conditioned) airflow 45 b passes. The trailing edge 38 may include the third side 22 andthe fourth side 26 of the closed-loop (e.g., rhombus) shape formed bythe winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12 and fabric weaves (orother means) utilized to support the microporous hollow fibers 12, aspreviously described. An end of the evaporative cooling unit 10 is openadjacent to the trailing edge 38 to enable the discharge air flow 45 bto be exhausted from the frame 101 and, thus, the evaporative coolingunit 10. That is, the illustrated frame 76 includes a first side panel91 (e.g., lower side panel), a second side panel 92, a third side panel93 (e.g., upper side panel), and a fourth side panel 94. The panels 91,92, 93, 94 define an open end 95 of the evaporative cooling unit 10adjacent to the trailing edge 38. The evaporative cooling unit 10 alsoincludes a leading edge 31 configured to receive the incoming (orunconditioned) air flow 45 a. The leading edge 31 may include the firstside 14 and the second side 18 of the closed-loop (e.g., rhombus) shapeformed by the plurality of microporous hollow fibers 12 and fabricweaves (or other means) utilized to support the microporous hollowfibers 12. The panels 91, 92, 93, 94 of the frame 76 define an open end96 of the evaporative cooling unit 10 adjacent to the leading edge 31 toenable the incoming air flow 45 a to pass into the frame 76 of theevaporative cooling unit 10. It should be noted that the illustratedevaporative cooling unit 10 is merely an example in accordance with thepresent disclosure, and that other features illustrated in FIG. 4 may beincluded in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 .

An air conditioner 200 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 7 .The air conditioner 200 contains a matrix of evaporative cooling units10, a housing structure 206, a water inlet port 202, which attaches to asupply water distribution manifold 204, and a water outlet port 201,which connects to a return water collection manifold 203. In thisembodiment, the matrix of evaporative cooling units 10 is installed in aflat-banked configuration in a structured matrix; however, individualunits of this disclosure can be altered into various orientations andconfigurations as outlined in subsequent figures. The water inlet 202supplies water to the matrix of evaporative cooling units 10 through thesupply water distribution manifold 204; conversely, the return watercollection manifold 203 collects water that flows out from the matrix ofevaporative cooling units 10 and discharges it through the water outletport 201. Although FIG. 7 depicts one possible configuration where thewater inlet port 202 is located at the bottom of the air conditioner 200and the water outlet port 201 is located at the top of the airconditioner 200, it should be noted that the water inlet port 202 andwater outlet port 201 locations can be situated at other relativeorientations or positions on the housing structure 206. Furthermore,water flows through the hollow fibers within evaporative cooling unit 10using a fluid moving device (e.g. a pump) that is external to the airconditioner 200. As air flows through the matrix of evaporative coolingunits 10 it contacts the external surfaces of the fibers and issubsequently cooled and/or humidified to the required supply airconditions. A proportion of the water volume flowing through the hollowmembrane fibers evaporates into the air stream through the pores in thefiber wall in the form of water vapor. Air flow 45 b depicts theconditioned discharge air. The air conditioner 200 is a self-containedand self-supported unit that may be incorporated into air handlingsystems or other evaporative cooling and/or humidification applicationsin various orientations.

Another embodiment of the air conditioner 200, wherein a water storagetank 210 is attached to the base of the housing structure 206 is shownin FIG. 8 . The water storage tank 210 provides a means to collect thewater that is discharged from the matrix of evaporative cooling units 10and recirculate it back to the evaporative cooling units 10. To do so,water flows from the water storage tank 210 up to the supply waterdistribution manifold 204 through the action of a fluid moving device(e.g. a pump) 212. Once in the supply water distribution manifold 204,the water is distributed out to the evaporative cooling units 10 andcirculates within the hollow fibers of the evaporative cooling units 10.Water is subsequently discharged from the evaporative cooling units 10into the return water collection manifold 203. From the return watercollection manifold 203, the water flows back into the water storagetank 210. As the water follows this circulation pattern, air flow 45 bmoves through the evaporative cooling units 10 and is conditioned in theprocess. Moreover, it should be noted that, as illustrated, FIG. 8 showsa removable cover 211 which is placed on top of the water storage tank210. In one embodiment, the cover 211 may be left on so as to protectthe water source from any contaminants. However, in another embodiment,the cover 211 may be removed so as to leave the water open to theenvironment. When necessary, water can be drained from the water storagetank to an external on-site drain system through the outlet 213; freshmake-up water can enter from the source inlet 214 in order to compensatefor the water which leaves through the evaporation process and draining.

Another embodiment of the air conditioner 200, wherein a remote waterstorage tank 220 is connected to the air conditioner 200, is shown inFIG. 9 . This embodiment is in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG.8 where the storage tank is not in a remote location, but rather isattached directly below the air conditioner housing structure 206. Justas with FIG. 8 , the connected remote water storage tank 220 in thisembodiment provides a means to collect the water that is discharged fromthe matrix of evaporative cooling units 10 for potential recirculation.However, the design illustrated in FIG. 9 provides an additionaladvantage: for air conditioners of identical overall size, there is moresurface area available for the matrix of evaporative cooling units inFIG. 9 compared with FIG. 8 because the remote water storage tank 220 isin a physically different location. Moreover, in this embodiment waterflows out of the remote water storage tank 220 through the water inletport 202 into a supply water distribution manifold 204. The water isthen distributed to the matrix of evaporative cooling units 10 andsubsequently discharged into the return water collection manifold 203.From there, the water moves through the water outlet port 201 and backinto the remote water storage tank 220. When necessary, water can bedrained from the remote water storage tank 220 through the tank wateroutlet 222 to an external on-site drain system. Fresh make-up water canthen enter through the tank water inlet 221 to compensate for the waterthat is lost.

Another embodiment of the air conditioner 200, where air bypass dampers250 have been incorporated into the housing 206 of the air conditioner200, is shown in FIG. 10 . As an airstream approaches the airconditioner 200, it now has two paths it can potentially go through.When the air bypass dampers 250 are completely closed, the air flow 45 bwill exit strictly through the matrix of evaporative cooling units 10,just as it did before. However, as the air bypass dampers 250 areopened, bypass air 252 will pass through the air bypass dampers 250 andexit the air conditioner 200 unconditioned, and the rest of the air 45 bwill move through the evaporative cooling units 10. In the instancewhere the dampers are completely opened, the maximum amount of bypassair 252 (as per the design sizing) will pass through the air bypassdampers 250 and a reduced air flow 45 b will exit through theevaporative cooling units 10. A controller 254 in FIG. 10 includes amemory 256 and a processor 258. The memory 256 includes instructionsstored thereon that, when executed by the processor 258, causes theprocessor 258 to perform various functions. The controller 254 may beutilized, for example, to open and close the bypass dampers 250. In someembodiments, the controller 254 may be communicatively coupled with asensor 259 configured to detect one or more operating condition of theair conditioner 200. For example, the sensor 259 may detect an air flowtemperature, an air flow rate, an air flow pressure, an air flowhumidity, a power consumption of the air conditioner 200, an operatingefficiency of the air conditioner 200, a sound of the air conditioner200, or the like. The controller 254 may receive data indicative of theone or more operating conditions of the air conditioner 200 anddetermine a position of the bypass dampers 250 based on the sensor data.

In one embodiment, water enters through the water inlet port 202 and upinto the supply water distribution manifold 204. The water thencirculates through the microporous hollow fibers of the evaporativecooling units 10 and out into the return water collection manifold 203.Finally, water leaves through the water outlet port 201. In anotherpossible embodiment, the water inlet and water outlet ports arereversed. Another embodiment of the air conditioner 200, wherein thedetails are the same as with FIG. 10 , except that the air bypassdampers 260 are now positioned vertically, is shown in FIG. 11 .

The embodiments shown in FIG. 7 through FIG. 11 are not to be consideredas separate designs, but rather as a subset of a plurality of possiblefeatures, all of which are not explicitly illustrated, that build offthe base design of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 . Any one featureshown in the above figures may be combined with any other feature toproduce an air conditioner 200 that is unique and customized for thedesired application.

Another possible application of the evaporative cooling units 10, inaccordance with the present disclosure, includes an air conditioner 300within a ducting system 301, as shown in FIG. 11 . The air conditioner300 includes a duct-housing 302 which contains one or more instances ofthe evaporative cooling unit 10. An unconditioned air flow 45 a movesthrough ducting system 301 and then subsequently through the evaporativecooling units 10. An exiting airflow 45 b is cooled and humidifiedthrough interaction with the fluid moving within the microporous hollowfibers of the evaporative cooling units 10. In one embodiment, the fluidenters the evaporative cooling units 10 through a water inlet ports 307,circulates within the evaporative cooling units 10, and then leavesthrough the water outlet port 308. As previously described, multipleinstances of the port 307 and the port 308 may be included in certainembodiments (e.g., one per evaporative cooling unit 10).

Another possible application of the evaporative cooling units 10, inaccordance with the present disclosure, includes an air conditioner 404incorporated within an air handling unit (AHU) 400, as shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the AHU 400 is defined by its outer casing 402.Unconditioned air flow 45 a enters through opening 401, moves through aset of filters 403, and then enters the evaporative cooling units 10. Asthe incoming air 45 a passes through the evaporative cooling units 10,the air is cooled and/or humidified and exits the air conditioner asconditioned air 45 b. Next, the conditioned air 45 b is drawn into anair movement device (e.g. a fan) 405, and then exits the AHU 400 throughopening 406.

Another possible application of the evaporative cooling units 10, inaccordance with the present disclosure, includes the air conditioner 404incorporated into the air handling unit (AHU) 400 illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14 , the air flow 45 a as it approaches the evaporativecooling units 10 of the air conditioner 404 is substantially parallelwith the gravity vector 90, unlike in FIG. 13 . As shown, the incoming(or unconditioned) air flow 45 a is directed in an airflow direction 407substantially parallel with the gravity vector 90 and through a flowpath 407 defined by the outer casing 402 (or enclosure) of the AHU 400.It should be noted that the airflow direction 407 may correspond to anaverage or general airflow direction through the flow path 408, and thattravel of certain individual particles of the air flow 45 a may differ.It should be understood that the presently disclosed AHU 400 example inFIGS. 13 and 14 are non-limiting, and that the evaporative cooling units10 may be oriented differently in other embodiments. Further, unlikecertain types of traditional evaporative cooing units, the evaporativecooling units 10 employing the microporous hollow fibers may be orientedat any angle without causing water carryover, as previously described.

A plumbing system 500 for an individual evaporative cooling unit 10 isshown in FIG. 15 . The individual evaporative cooling unit 10 may beinstalled in any of the aforementioned embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The plumbing system 500 comprises a water supply line 501routed to the water inlet port 503 of the individual evaporative coolingunit 10, a water return line 506 routed from the water outlet port 505of the individual evaporative cooling unit 10, and a control valve 502.The water supply line 501 distributes water that is pumped from anupstream water supply source (not shown in FIG. 16 ) to the individualevaporative cooling unit 10. Water flows through the microporous hollowfibers residing in the individual evaporative cooling unit 10, and comesin contact with dry, warm process air 45 a that is directed through theindividual evaporative cooling unit 10. The intake air 45 a flowsthrough the individual evaporative cooling unit 10 and is subsequentlycooled and/or humidified. The water return line 506 discharges theresidual volume of water that has not been evaporated to an optionalintegral or external storage tank for recirculation and/or drainage. Thecontrol valve 502 regulates the fluid flow rate of the plumbing circuitand may be installed at the water supply line 501 or the water returnline 506. The controller 254 may operate to control a position of thevalve 502 (e.g., an open position, a partially open position, a closedposition). Other appurtenances adjunct to the plumbing system 500including, but not limited to, water filtration devices, water meters,water hammer arrestors, backflow preventers, as well as instrumentationdevices, may be included into the system to meet specific applicationrequirements.

A possible plumbing scheme for a plurality of individual evaporativecooling units 10 is shown in FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, theevaporative cooling units 10 are plumbed in series such that theresidual water volumes discharged from the water outlet port 505 of unit10 enters the water inlet port 503 of a subsequent unit 10 usingintermediate piping 510. The control valve 502 regulates fluid flow tothe entire series of units 10 and may be located at either the watersupply line 501 or the water return line 502. As previously described,the controller 254 may control the control valve 502 to regulate fluidflow. The intake air 45 a flows through the face of each evaporativecooling unit 10 and is subsequently cooled and/or humidified.

A further possible plumbing scheme for a plurality of evaporativecooling units 10 is shown in FIG. 17 . It should be noted that theevaporative cooling units 10 in FIG. 17 are illustrated schematically asboxes, but may resemble the evaporative cooling units 10 of previouslydescribed drawings (e.g., including the microporous hollow fibers woundin a closed-loop [e.g., rhombus] shape). In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 17 , the evaporative cooling units 10 are plumbed both in seriesand in parallel such that a multitude of control valves 502 regulatesflow to distinct groups of evaporative cooling units 10 within thematrix. The controller 254 may control the multitude of control valves502 collectively or independently. Each group of evaporative coolingunits 10 can be selectively activated to provide cooling needs. Thewater supply line 501 is connected to a supply water distributionmanifold 520 that directs water to the water inlet ports 503 of eachgroup of evaporative cooling units 10. Within each group of evaporativecooling units 10, water discharged from the water outlet port 505 of oneevaporative cooling unit 10 enters the water inlet port 503 of asubsequent evaporative cooling unit 10 within the series usingintermediate piping 510. A return water collection manifold 521 directsresidual water volumes from each group of evaporative cooling units 10to the water return line 506 for eventual recirculation and/or drainage.The control valves 502 may be located at outlet connections of thesupply water distribution manifold 520, or the inlet connections of thereturn water collection manifold 521. Isolation valves 522 may beincluded to provide flow logic and prevent backflow to certainevaporative cooling unit groups. The intake air 45 a flows through eachevaporative cooling unit 10 and is subsequently cooled and/orhumidified.

A further possible plumbing scheme for a plurality of individualevaporative cooling units 10 is shown in FIG. 18 . It should be notedthat the evaporative cooling units 10 in FIG. 18 are illustratedschematically as boxes, but may resemble the evaporative cooling units10 of previously described drawings (e.g., including the microporoushollow fibers wound in a closed-loop [e.g., rhombus] shape). In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 18 , the evaporative cooling units 10 areplumbed in parallel such that a multitude of control valves 502 (and thecontroller 254 configured to control the multitude of control valves502) regulates flow to distinct groups of evaporative cooling units 10within the matrix. In addition to the previously mentioned supply waterdistribution manifold 520 and return water collection manifold 521 shownin FIG. 17 , FIG. 18 illustrates the use of branch piping (530 and 531)to direct water to and from each group of evaporative cooling units 10,respectively. Branch piping 530 is routed from the supply waterdistribution manifold 520 to the water inlet port 503 of eachevaporative cooling unit 10 within a designated group. Branch piping 531is routed from the water outlet port 505 of each evaporative coolingunit 10 within a designated group to the return water collectionmanifold 521. This plumbing scheme represents the use of reverse returnpiping, wherein the overall system flow is divided into approximatelyequal streams that pass through the evaporative cooling units 10. Thecontrol valves 502 may be located at outlet connections of the supplywater distribution manifold 520, or the inlet connections of the returnwater collection manifold 521. Optional balancing valves may be used inthe system to fine-tune flow rates as needed. Isolation valves 522 maybe included to provide flow logic and prevent backflow to certainevaporative cooling unit groups. The intake air 45 a flows through theevaporative cooling units 10 and is thereby cooled and/or humidified, aspreviously described.

A further possible plumbing scheme for a plurality of evaporativecooling units 10 is shown in FIG. 19 . In this embodiment, eachevaporative cooling unit 10 is plumbed to its own water supply source.Separate supply lines (540, 542, 544) direct water from separate watersupply sources to each evaporative cooling unit 10; separate returnlines (541, 543, 545) direct residual water volumes from evaporativecooling units 10 to individual or common reservoirs for recirculationand/or drainage. A multitude of independent control valves 502 regulatethe water flow of each evaporative cooling unit 10, allowing forselective activation of each evaporative cooling unit 10 forapplication-specific cooling needs. The intake air 45 a flows througheach evaporative cooling unit 10 and is subsequently cooled and/orhumidified. For example, in an embodiment with two of the evaporativecooling units 10 and, thus, two valves 502, both valves 502 may becontrolled by the controller 254 to an open position, both valves 502may be controlled by the controller 254 to a closed position, and onevalve 502 may be controlled by the controller 254 to an open positionwhile the other valve 502 may be controlled by the controller 254 to aclosed position. As previously described, the controller 254 may actuatethe valves 502 based on data feedback from the sensor 259. Additionallyor alternatively, the controller 254 may receive an input (e.g., from anoperator) and control the valves 502 based on the input.

All plumbing schemes described herein can be infinitely scaled to matchthe total quantity of evaporative cooling units 10 within the system.The flexibility and ease of adding or removing evaporative cooling units10, and combining and/or interchanging plumbing schemes allows forautonomous infinite capacity and precise demand-matching controlstrategies.

An optional water storage tank 559 that may be integral to the airconditioner or located at a remote location is shown in FIG. 20 . Asupply water source 550 is fed to the inlet 552 of the storage tank 559by a makeup water line 551. The makeup water line 551 may be connecteddirectly to the supply line 501 if the water storage tank 559 is notrequired. Makeup water is required for all plumbing schemes describedabove to maintain a continuous evaporative cooling process. When coolingis required, a fluid moving device (e.g., sump pump or in-line pump 554)is turned on (e.g., by the controller 254), allowing water from thestorage tank 559 to exit through the outlet 553 and flow through thesupply line 501 to downstream evaporative cooling units. An optionalstrainer 555 or other water filtration and/or treatment components maybe installed to improve quality of water supplied to evaporative coolingunits. In recirculation systems, a return line 506 directs residualwater volumes discharged from evaporative cooling units back into thewater storage tank 559 for reuse or mixing with makeup water. The waterstorage tank can be drained through a drainage outlet 556 into a drainline 558 by opening a drain control valve 557 (e.g., via the controller254). An example of a situation requiring tank drainage includes whenthe concentration of dissolve solids accumulated in the plumbing systemneeds to be reduced.

A control scheme of a plurality of individual evaporative cooling units10, in accordance with the present disclosure, is shown in the coolingsystem 600 of FIG. 21 . For the cooling system 600, each evaporativecooling unit 10 is individually plumbed to its own supply line 601,return line 602, and control valve 502 (nothing that the controlvalve[s] 502 are not shown in FIG. 21 but an example of the controlvalve 502 is shown in FIG. 15 ). Since control valves 502 can be wiredindependently of one another, and since evaporative cooling unit 10 isrouted to its own water supply, selective evaporative cooling unit 10can be activated or deactivated (e.g., by the controller 254). FIG. 21shows both activated evaporative cooling unit 10 (denoted by referencenumeral 603) and deactivated evaporative cooling unit 10 (denoted byreference numeral 604). In an embodiment with two evaporative coolingunits 10, for example, the controller 254 may control both evaporativecooling units 10 to an activated state (e.g., via valves 502 illustratedin FIG. 19 ), both evaporative cooling units 10 to a deactivated state(e.g., via valves illustrated in FIG. 19 ), and one evaporative coolingunit 10 to an activated state and the other evaporative cooling unit 10to a deactivated state (e.g., via valves 502 in FIG. 19 ). Furthermore,an activation sequence control scheme can be automated such that theevaporative cooling units 10 can be activated in either a synchronous oran asynchronous manner, subject to predetermined control system delaysor setpoint configurations. Evaporative cooling units 10 can also beinstalled in different zones within an enclosed space or volume toprovide area-focused air conditioning.

A further potential feature and/or application of the evaporativecooling units 10 is illustrated in the air conditioner 650 shown in FIG.22 , wherein two physically distinct matrices (652 and 654) ofevaporative cooling units 10 are hinged to a rotation axis 656. Throughthe use of any potential actuating device (e.g., such as motors 658controlled by the controller 254), the matrices (652 and 654) are ableto rotate about the axis 656. This feature enables different air pathsto exist within the air conditioner 650. When the matrices (652 and 654)are rotated such that they are touching at their common interface, a gap670 therebetween will be closed, and all air will pass through theevaporative cooling units 10 directly creating a conditioned air stream.Conversely, when the matrices (652 and 654) are rotated such that theyare no longer touching at the common interface, then a gap 670 exists.In this instance, some air may continue to pass through the evaporativecooling units 10 and will be conditioned; however, some air will bypassthe evaporative cooling units 10 and exit the air conditioner 650unconditioned. The controller 254 may control the motor(s) 658 based onsensor feedback from the sensor 259 or an input entered to thecontroller 254 (e.g., via an operator).

A further potential feature and/or application of the evaporativecooling units 10 is illustrated in the air conditioner 700 shown in FIG.23 . In this figure, two physically distinct matrices (712 and 713) ofevaporative cooling units 10 are connected to an axis 711 that permitstranslation 710 perpendicular to the direction of airflow (45 a) usingany potential actuating device. The translation 710 of the matrice(s)712 and/or 713 of evaporative cooling units 10 may be caused byactuation mechanisms, such as motors 715, controlled by the controller254 (e.g., based on sensor data from the sensor 259 or an input receivedby the controller 254 from an operator). This feature enables differentair paths to form within the overall air conditioner 700. In oneinstance, when the matrices (712 and 713) are touching at the commoninterface, the gap 770 as shown in the figure does not exist. As such,all air 45 a will exit through the evaporative cooling units 10 and isconditioned (e.g., cooled and/or humidified). Conversely, when thematrices (712 and 713) translate apart (in direction 710), a gap 770forms between the matrices (712 and 713). This allows some air 45 a tobe conditioned as it moves through the evaporative cooling units 10,while some air 252 bypasses the evaporative cooling units 10 altogetherand exits the air conditioner 700 unconditioned.

System-level air flow bypass features (e.g., that enable at least aportion of an air flow to bypass evaporative cooling units in accordancewith the present disclosure) are illustrated in at least FIGS. 10, 11,22, and 23 , and are described in detail above. Another possible airflow bypass feature in accordance with the present disclosure isillustrated in FIG. 24 . In FIG. 24 , each evaporative cooling unit 10includes features configured to enable at least a portion of air flow tobypass said evaporative cooling unit 10. For example, as described withrespect to at least FIG. 4 above, each evaporative cooling unit 10 mayinclude the winding 11 of microporous hollow fibers 12 forming aclosed-loop (e.g., rhombus) shape, contained within a respective frame76 (or airflow channel) of the respective evaporative cooling unit 10.At a mid-section of each evaporative cooling unit 10, flow blockers 800may be configured to direct the air flow 45 through the closed-loop(e.g., rhombus) shape, as opposed to bypassing the closed-loop (e.g.,rhombus) shape. However, in certain operating conditions, the flowblockers 800 may be actuated to enable an air flow around theclosed-loop (e.g., rhombus) shape. In some embodiments, the flowblockers 800 may include columns that can be selectively disposed andremoved from the illustrated position. For example, the flow blockers800 may be moved in a first direction 802 (e.g., into and out of thepage from the illustrated perspective), rotated in a circumferentialdirection 804, or otherwise actuated to define a flow path around theclosed-loop (e.g., rhombus) shape of the winding 11 of microporoushollow fibers 12. As previously noted, the controller 254 may operate tocontrol the flow blockers 800 based on sensor feedback from the sensor259, which detects an operating condition (e.g., air flow temperature,an air flow rate, an air flow pressure, an air flow humidity, a powerconsumption of the system, an operating efficiency of the system, asound of the system, etc.).

In general, the presently disclosed evaporative cooling unit 10 employsmicroporous hollow fibers 12 forming a closed-loop shape, such as arhombus, configured to improve cooling of an air flow relative totraditional embodiments, and configured to reduce a footprint of theevaporative cooling unit 10 relative to traditional embodiments.Further, various system level features are disclosed that enableoperation of the evaporative cooling units 10 within an air conditionersystem, such as an air handling unit (AHU), a ducted system, and thelike, as previously described. Further still, various system levelfeatures are disclosed that enable air flow bypass of the evaporativecooling units 10, selective activation and deactivation of certainevaporative cooling units 10, operation of the evaporative cooling units10 in series, parallel, or both, and other operative features of theevaporative cooling units 10 and corresponding system. In general,presently disclosed embodiments improve a preciseness and efficiency ofair conditioning relative to traditional embodiments, at least in partby way of reducing an air conditioning size or footprint whileoptimizing an amount of air conditioning that can take place within thesize or footprint of the air conditioning system.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specificembodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of thedisclosure in addition to those described herein will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Suchmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

While only certain features and embodiments of the disclosure have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur tothose skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters including temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements,use of materials, colors, orientations, etc., without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matterrecited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall withinthe true spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to providea concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of anactual implementation may not have been described, such as thoseunrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out thedisclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed disclosure. Itshould be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effortmight be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undueexperimentation.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ,” it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

All patents, applications, publications, test methods, literature, andother materials cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An air conditioning system, comprising: aplurality of evaporative cooling units, wherein each evaporative coolingunit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units comprises a firstV-shaped portion of a winding of microporous hollow fibers that areconfigured to receive a liquid, a second V-shaped portion of the windingof microporous hollow fibers that are configured to receive the liquid,the first V-shaped portion and the second V-shaped portion beingarranged to form a closed-loop rhombus shape, and an internal cavitydisposed between the first V-shaped portion and the second V-shapedportion and having a boundary defined by the closed-loop rhombus shape;a plumbing assembly configured to supply the liquid to the plurality ofevaporative cooling units; and a controller configured to control theplumbing assembly to: change a flow rate of the liquid; or block theliquid from at least one evaporative cooling unit of the plurality ofevaporative cooling units.
 2. The conditioning system of claim 1,wherein the plumbing assembly comprises a valve, and the controller isconfigured to control the valve to block the liquid from the at leastone evaporative cooling unit of the plurality of evaporative coolingunits.
 3. The conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the plumbingassembly comprises a pump or valve, and the controller is configured tocontrol the pump or valve to change the flow rate of the liquid.
 4. Theconditioning system of claim 1, wherein a first evaporative cooling unitof the plurality of evaporative cooling units and a second evaporativecooling unit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units are arrangedin parallel or in series with respect to a flow of the liquid.
 5. Theconditioning system of claim 1, wherein a first juncture between thefirst V-shaped portion and the second V-shaped portion comprises a firstcurvature, and a second juncture between the first V-shaped portion andthe second V-shaped portion comprises a second curvature.
 6. An airconditioning system comprising a plurality of evaporative cooling units,a plumbing assembly, and a controller, wherein: each evaporative coolingunit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units comprises a sheetforming a closed-loop shape comprising a rhombus or rhomboid, the sheetincluding a plurality of microporous hollow fibers contained therein,each microporous fiber of the plurality of microporous fiberscomprising: one or more walls; a liquid flow path defined by the one ormore walls and configured to receive a liquid; and a plurality of poresextending through the one or more walls, wherein the plurality of poresis configured to block passage of the liquid therethrough and enablepassage of a vapor formed from the liquid therethrough; the plumbingassembly is configured to supply the liquid to the plurality ofevaporative cooling units; and the controller is configured to controlthe plumbing assembly to: change a flow rate of the liquid; or block theliquid from at least one evaporative cooling unit of the plurality ofevaporative cooling units.
 7. The air conditioning system of claim 6,wherein each evaporative cooling unit comprises a plurality of anchorsabout which the sheet is arranged to form the closed-loop shapecomprising the rhombus or rhomboid, and such that the closed-loop shapecomprising the rhombus or rhomboid forms a boundary about an internalcavity devoid of microporous hollow fibers.
 8. The air conditioningsystem of claim 6, wherein a first evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units and a second evaporative coolingunit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units are arranged inparallel with respect to a flow of the liquid.
 9. The air conditioningsystem of claim 6, wherein a first evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units and a second evaporative coolingunit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units are arranged inseries with respect to a flow of the liquid.
 10. The air conditioningsystem of claim 6, wherein the plumbing assembly comprises a pump orvalve, and the controller is configured to control the pump or valve to:block the liquid from the at least one evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units; or change the flow rate of theliquid.
 11. An air conditioning system comprising a plurality ofevaporative cooling units, each evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units comprising a winding of aplurality of microporous hollow fibers forming a closed-loop rhombusshape having a leading edge, a trailing edge configured to be disposeddownstream of the leading edge relative to an air flow, and an internalcavity disposed between the leading edge and the trailing edge andhaving a boundary defined by the closed-loop rhombus shape.
 12. The airconditioning system of claim 11, comprising: a bypass damper; and acontroller configured to actuate the bypass damper between: a firstposition in which at least a portion of the air flow bypasses theplurality of evaporative cooling units; and a second position in whichthe air flow passes through the plurality of evaporative cooling units.13. The air conditioning system of claim 12, comprising a sensorconfigured to detect an operating condition associated with the airconditioning system, wherein the controller is configured to: receivefeedback from the sensor; and actuate the damper to the first positionor the second position based on the feedback.
 14. The air conditioningsystem of claim 11, wherein each evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units comprises: an inlet configured toreceive a liquid into the plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and anoutlet configured to output the liquid from the plurality of microporoushollow fibers.
 15. The air conditioning system of claim 14, comprising aplumbing assembly configured to direct the liquid from the outlet of afirst evaporative cooling unit of the plurality of evaporative coolingunits to the inlet of a second evaporative cooling unit of the pluralityof evaporative cooling units, such that the first evaporative coolingunit and the second evaporative cooling unit are disposed in seriesrelative to a flow of the liquid.
 16. The air conditioning system ofclaim 14, comprising a plumbing assembly configured to: direct a firstportion of the liquid from a first evaporative cooling unit of theplurality of evaporative cooling units to a manifold; and direct asecond portion of the liquid from a second evaporative cooling unit ofthe plurality of evaporative cooling units to the manifold, such thatthe first evaporative cooling unit and the second evaporative coolingunit are disposed in parallel relative to a flow of the liquid.
 17. Theair conditioning system of claim 11, comprising: a first evaporativecooling unit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units; a secondevaporative cooling unit of the plurality of evaporative cooling units;a first valve associated with the first evaporative cooling unit; asecond valve associated with the second evaporative cooling unit; and acontroller configured to: actuate the first valve to a first position toenable a first flow of liquid to the first evaporative cooling unit;actuate the first valve to a second position to block the first flow ofliquid to the first evaporative cooling unit; actuate the second valveto a third position to enable a second flow of liquid to the secondevaporative cooling unit; and actuate the second valve to a fourthposition to block the second flow of liquid to the second evaporativecooling unit.
 18. The air conditioning system of claim 11, comprising anair handling unit (AHU) including a fan configured to generate the airflow through the evaporative cooling units, and a housing configured toreceive the plurality of evaporative cooling units.
 19. The airconditioning system of claim 11, wherein each evaporative cooling unitof the plurality of evaporative cooling units comprises: a housing; anda flow blocker formed by or within the housing, wherein the flow blockeris configured to be actuated between: a first position in which the flowblocker directs the air flow through the winding; and a second positionin which the flow blocker enables the air flow or a portion thereof tobypass the winding.
 20. The air conditioning system of claim 11, whereinthe plurality of evaporative cooling units comprises: a firstevaporative cooling unit having a first frame in which a first windingof first microporous hollow fibers is disposed; and a second evaporativecooling unit having a second frame in which a second winding of secondmicroporous hollow fibers is disposed.